NFL free agent Russell Wilson has done a few meetings now, and one ESPN insider says there is serious interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign the free agent quarterback. The team met with Wilson on Friday and all indications are that it went smoothly.
CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported on Friday night that the meeting between the team and Wilson went on for “hours” and was all around “great.” Arthur Smith, the new offensive coordinator, was apparently very impressed with the meeting.
NFL and ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler had an update about the meeting and where things stand between the two parties on Saturday. Fowler revealed that the Steelers are very interested in signing the quarterback.
“I’m hearing the Steelers interest in Wilson is real. I was told, ‘We don’t bring a veteran in unless we’re serious about signing them.’ The feeling out of the [NFL] Combine is they’re serious about Kenny Pickett being the starter, but they want to bring in competition,” Fowler said.
This team would not just take the meeting to begin with if they did not have interest, and now with the meeting having gone as well as it did, there should be serious talks to pick up in the coming week.
It has been reported that the Steelers want to bring in a quarterback to at least challenge for the starting position on the team, after another season of Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph going in and out of the lineup. If Wilson were to sign with the team he would get that starting role before training camp even, as he is a clear upgrade over anyone on the roster.
The Steelers would likely give Wilson up to $7 million as he is also set to make $40 million from the Denver Broncos. With paying your quarterback that little, the team will be able to continue to build around him in free agency and the draft. With free agency less than a week away, we will see how long this decision takes.
